Elpida claims 65 nano DRAM first

THE FIRST DRAM firm to produce memory chips using a 65 nanometre process will be Japanese firm Elpida, Nikkei reported.

The wire said Elpida will produce the chips during the current financial year, at its Hiroshima plant. Once it's started ramping up the process there, it will also produce 65 nano DRAM chips in conjunction with its Taiwanese partner, Rexchip.

Elpida also has a close relationship with chip giant Intel - but whether that's anything to do with its claim is a matter shrouded in mystery.

The move to 65 nanometres will give Elpida a price advantage in a market which isn't exactly thriving in the year 2007. As chip firms move to a smaller process, basically they can "print" more chips on a silicon wafer.

The rest of the Dramurai are experiencing deep woe. For example, Taiwanese memory firm ProMOS just declared a net loss of $115.3 million, citing the dropping price of memory chips as its Achilles' Heel. µ

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